Saturday, May 3, 2014

One of the most anticipated movies of the early summer season is "The Amazing Spider-Man 2." With an all-star cast that includes Andrew Garfield (Spider-Man), Emma Stone (Gwen Stacey) and Jamie Foxx (Electro), the soundtrack needed to match that star power. Oscar award-winning composer Hans Zimmer was brought on board to give the soundtrack a modern flair with a classical feel. Joining Zimmer on the movie's score is The Magnificent Six which features Pharrell Williams, Johnny Marr (The Smiths), Michael Einzinger (Incubus), Junkie XL, Andrew Kawczynski and Steve Mazzaro. The instrumental score does a masterful job combining the intense orchestral pieces with modern drum beats and voice overs that becomes an instrument in its own right. Listening to it through headphones gives a deeper perspective into the layers of sound. The songs flow together so smoothly that you feel as if its one continuous piece of music.

The soundtrack closes with a handful of songs beginning with the hardcore/pop/R&B of "It's On Again" from Alicia Keys and Kendrick Lamar. Phosphorescent pours their emotions in the performance of "Song For Zula," before Pharrell Williams steals the show with the heartfelt, pop sway of "Here." The soundtrack closes with the dub-step/club beats of "Electro Remix" by Alvin Risk and Hans Zimmer that features voice overs from the movie intertwined within the song's rhythm.